PC leadership candidate wants fixed election dates

CALGARY – The two leading candidates in the race to become Alberta’s next premier both made promises Friday that would radically change the way government does business.

Alison Redford, who was a distant second to Gary Mar after the Sept. 17 first ballot, called for fixed election dates if she is successful in her bid to become premier.

Redford told reporters in Calgary that set elections would allow Albertans to focus on issues and take away the political games that parties play when calling elections based on poll results.

“It is about playing politics and whether it’s a real advantage or not there are many people who perceive it to be an advantage,” Redford said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

“It’s the way that politics used to be done, and nothing in our campaign has been about the way that politics used to be done.”

Redford said she would commit to calling an election in March 2012 and every four years from that date. She said Albertans are supportive of the idea and that several other provinces already use the same model.

“They understand the issues that are coming. They don’t believe any political party should have even if it is a theoretical upper hand in managing the political agenda and then picking the date accordingly,” she added.

She also is touting the idea of allowing electronic voting so the disabled, residents in isolated areas and those travelling abroad could cast a ballot. And she also favours giving more power to caucus.

She suggests a contentious bill shouldn’t be brought forward by government if it doesn’t get by a majority of its caucus.

The second round of voting goes Oct. 1 and Redford is encouraging her supporters to make candidate Doug Horner their second choice on the preferential ballot.

“There was some suggestion that as candidates who were on the second ballot we should maybe consider stepping back and moving to the next stage. I thought a lot about what I wanted to do, why I wanted to do it,” she said.

“I was really pleased to see Doug say the same thing, so I have a lot of respect for him.”

Front runner Gary Mar has asked former rival Doug Griffiths to lead a grassroots revolution.

He said he will ask Griffiths to co-chair this process, along with two Progressive Conservative constituency association presidents (one rural and one urban), and will ask The Task Force for Party Renewal to report within 120 days of his election as leader.

“I have heard clearly from current party members, past members and potential members that it’s time to move the party forward. It’s time to open the doors. It’s time for bold thinking and grassroots changes,” said Mar in a release.

“Doug brought such strong enthusiasm and big ideas to this leadership race. He is the right person to lead this effort and bring a new generation of political leaders to the party.”